My career journey: Sabrina in Communications

Why not going to university was the best decision for this HR journalist-turned-communications manager.
Sabrina career journey ExpressVPN with cat

Sabrina, Communications Manager

Meet Sabrina

I wanted to move to a marketing and comms role after nearly eight years in HR. I saw the role at ExpressVPN advertised online and was super intrigued that it was a role within the Marketing department—something that’s not common for an Employer Brand role. It was a pretty exciting opportunity and one I’m glad worked out!

My desk essentials are my (slightly too loud) mechanical keyboard, a bottle of cold water, and photos of my husband and cat.

My favorite pantry snack is the Sanwa saltine crackers, which we’ve run out of. (Probably because I was inhaling three packets a day!)

When I was a kid, I wanted to be a department store cashier because it combined my love for punching buttons and counting money!

When did you join ExpressVPN?

I joined ExpressVPN in October 2021 as a communications manager, specializing in employer brand and internal comms. About a month in, I became the team lead for Employer Branding and was promoted to a senior manager role shortly after. I also loved that I didn’t have to be a people manager to progress in my career or be a team lead—something that wasn't not common in previous companies where I’ve worked.

Tell us about your decision not to attend university.

I didn't go to university, despite being accepted to a couple of my top choices. I decided to jump straight into the working world and started as an HR journalist before moving into HR comms. I enjoyed writing and telling people stories for companies, and have been so lucky to have been able to do it for the past 12 years.

Sure, it took a lot more to prove myself and learn on the job, but I wouldn’t have done anything differently. And not having any uni debt was just icing on the cake!

What are some highlights?

Ah, it’s only been a few months, so I hope I haven’t already peaked! But a huge recent win for my team was the launch of our careers blog, which showcases employee stories and what #LifeAtExpressVPN looks like all over the world.

What's your favorite aspect of working at ExpressVPN?

This is going to sound cliched, but the people here are phenomenal. You’re not just colleagues but friends, and it really feels like we’ve got each other’s backs. It makes the hard days at work easier and the good days even better.

Tell us about the craziest thing you’ve ever done in a job?

I may or may not have taken my entire c-suite in a previous job to an infamous hotel basement nightclub—in a party bus, no less—after our annual general meeting. Thankfully they were all good sports, and we had a really great night dancing and partying!

What do you like to do outside of work?

I love hosting a good house party. We recently had one with our comms chapter, where they even helped me finish a cat-themed puzzle I was struggling with.

Ping zhu illustration for changing locations.

Could your career journey lead to ExpressVPN?

We'd love to hear about your career journey, and find out if there's a place for you at ExpressVPN. Read more about our culture and how we support career growth, and check out our current job openings to find the best fit for you. Then get in touch with us!